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Microsoft HoloLens leak paints dire battery picture

Published Jan 18th, 2016 8:25PM EST
Microsoft HoloLens Battery Life

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The future of virtual and augmented reality looks brighter than ever, as more and more tech companies are getting ready to commercialize VR and AR products . One of them is Microsoft, which has regularly dazzled audiences over the past year with its HoloLens demos.

But while the demos look amazing, it’ll be a while until we can actually enjoy it in our homes. One of the problems with this particular headset appears to be battery life, as a new Microsoft leak reveals.

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More information about the HoloLens set was leaked during a Tel Aviv, Israel event, Mashable reports, and the battery news is far from thrilling. According to the company, the initial HoloLens headset will offer five to five and a half hours of battery life when working on Word documents and two and a half hours when using it for “highly intensive computational work involving detailed renderings.”

Sure, some will rightly point out the fact that you can definitely recharge it between games or work sessions. After all, while you may want to play more than 2.5 hours of AR games, you’ll probably not work more than five hours on Word documents.

Microsoft’s Bruce Harris revealed these details in a YouTube video that was posted by Israel-based wearable entrepreneur Niv Calderon, but that clip has been removed since then.

The exec also said that the HoloLens has “no option for a wired connection.” On the upside, the gadget can connect to pretty much anything via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and it comes with 3D audio support.

Harris said the headset will not get warm because it’s built to dissipate heat and that the experience is comparable to having a 15-inch monitor about a foot away from one’s face.

That said, battery issues aside, the main problem with the HoloLens is its prohibitive price. Running at $3,000 a pop, the gadget is not exactly on the shopping list of VR and AR enthusiasts just yet.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.